Ethnicity, Language, & Religion of Dominica
Ethnicity
Nearly all of the people on the island of Dominica are of African descent, many of whose ancestors were brought to the Caribbean during the slave trade. Due to this past, the people are of numerous ethnic groups from Africa and the ethnicity of one person can be substantially different from the next, although it seems most slaves arrived from West Africa. Among the minority groups, most are a combination of American Indians and African. There is also a important, but small group of Caribs, an American Indian group for which the Caribbean is named.
Language
English is the only official language in Dominica, although French patois is commonly spoken in the home. French patois is a mix of numerous languages, particularly French and English, but also contains aspects of numerous other languages including many African languages brought to the Caribbean during the slave trade. Although French patois is a common native language, many people are also native English speakers and those who are not generally learn English in schools so English is the primary language of communication across linguistic groups.